nce upon a time, fan conventions (or simply “cons”
for those in the know) were only a thing for Star Trek
“Trekkie” fans and nerdy comic book megafans. But
these days, there’s a convention for every type of groupie out
there, from movies and books to video games and superheroes.
Seems as if they are popping up all over … all you have to do is
pick one you’re passionate about and hit the road.

W

ant to love your landscape … without all
the hassle, high water bills, and harm to
our planet’s natural resources? Try these
steps to make your yard’s landscaping compatible
with your unique natural environment.

Coeur d’Alene area is surrounded by dozens
of lakes left behind by the glaciers from the ice
age. There are more than 55 lakes within easy
driving distance of Coeur d’Alene, but none
more scenic and full of activities than Lake Coeur
d’Alene itself.
There is something magical about Lake Coeur
d’Alene that’s hard to define, but begins with the
spectacular North Idaho sunsets and moonrises,
the plunge of an osprey after a fish, the glowing
lights of downtown Coeur d’Alene reflecting
across its waters at night. The perfect place to
plan your next vacation and activities.
Source: CoeurdAlene.org

If you live in a high-heat and drought-prone region of
the country, you no doubt have watering restrictions for your
abode. In other words, big green lawns are definitely not in your future. Your
best bet for a sustainable landscape is minimizing your green areas and being
selective with your plantings. The best way to achieve this? Use hardscape
products and stone and mulch as the basis of your landscape, minimizing
thirsty grassy areas.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t have anything living in your yard … it just
means choosing drought-tolerant and native plants, the basis of xeriscape
landscaping. Before planting, it’s wise to amend your soil with humus (manure,
compost, and wood chips are good examples) to ensure it retains moisture
and helps ensure good drainage. So be sure to choose drought-tolerant plants,
examples of which include ornamental grasses and perennials such as yarrow,
sage, columbine, lavender, hyssop, sedum, and purple cornflower. These
beautiful perennials will return to bloom in your garden season after season
without excessive watering. Keep your eyes open when you go for a hike
and you may just see these blooms popping up organically in the wild. This
simpatico relationship is what makes using these same plants in your yard so
easy and so successful.
Of course, you will have to water these plants a bit and that’s where
strategically placed drip irrigation comes in. By getting the water directly to
the root of the plant you minimize waste and give your plants just what they
need in the process. Another way to save H2O? Get a rain barrel that can
catch all those drips and drops and you can wisely channel that runoff directly
where it needs to go most—to your plants. Best of all, this water is
free! Some pricier systems do attach directly to your drop irrigation
but there are less costly versions available for
all budgets.

By using xeriscape plants and
principles in your landscaping
you will have a yard that
will look as good as you will
feel about using eco-friendly
gardening designs. And with
the low-maintenance yard
you’ve created, you’ll have
more time to do the things you
love to do on your precious
weekends. Enjoy!

LIFEWISE

The most famous con, of course, is San Diego Comic-Con
International. This cross section of superheroes, celebrities, and
comic book geeks attracts more than a hundred thousand
groupies every year who for four days revel in everything comicrelated. A more family-friendly and smaller version is Emerald
City Comic Con in Seattle, perfect for those new to the whole
com-con scene. This event
has attracted big names
such as Patrick Stewart
and Gillian Anderson in
the past, so it’s full of sci-fi
excitement. Similar in style
and scope are the numerous
anime (Japanese animation)
conventions where fans
gather to get all the latest
news and memorabilia
related to their shared love
of Japanese comics and
film. The big ones to check
out: Anime Expo in LA and
Sakura-Con in Seattle.

FLAVORFUL

TRAVEL TIME

Gaming cons are numerous and perhaps the most in demand
of late. Many gaming conventions allow attendees to play new
games before they are even released, a real rush for intense
gamers. For gamers looking to kick it old school, there are even
conventions for “table-top” gaming, you know, the old kind that
involves board games and card games, as well as role playing
games (think Dungeons and Dragons). If that sounds like your
thing, check out GoPlay Northwest and Gen Con, two of the
bigger ones.
Kids can’t be left out of the con craze either. In fact, the
younger set may be familiar with MineCon, the convention
where Minecraft fans gather for everything related to mobs and
creepers. There’s also the Star Wars Celebration where fans of
Luke and Leia can meet movie stars, see sneak previews of
upcoming releases, and snatch up some exclusive Star Wars
merch. Not to be missed if you’re a J.K. Rowling fan? LeakyCon,
a Harry Potter convention for those obsessed with witchcraft and
wizardry. Toy conventions and Lego conventions are also fun for
children of all ages. Whatever you are into, there is a gathering of
like-minded people to hang with and enjoy your passions.

DIRECTIONS
Soak all spices in beer for 30 minutes.
Brown meat with salt and then skim fat. Add onion and garlic, then simmer
for 30 minutes. Add spices and tomato sauce, then simmer on very low
heat for 3 hours. Skim grease as necessary. Add corn flour mixed with 4
cups of water and simmer for 15 minutes.

TexAzGrill.com

go

Couer d’Alene, ID

UNCONVENTIONAL
CONVENTIONS

low

O

nce upon a time, fan conventions (or simply “cons”
for those in the know) were only a thing for Star Trek
“Trekkie” fans and nerdy comic book megafans. But
these days, there’s a convention for every type of groupie out
there, from movies and books to video games and superheroes.
Seems as if they are popping up all over … all you have to do is
pick one you’re passionate about and hit the road.

W

ant to love your landscape … without all
the hassle, high water bills, and harm to
our planet’s natural resources? Try these
steps to make your yard’s landscaping compatible
with your unique natural environment.

Coeur d’Alene area is surrounded by dozens
of lakes left behind by the glaciers from the ice
age. There are more than 55 lakes within easy
driving distance of Coeur d’Alene, but none
more scenic and full of activities than Lake Coeur
d’Alene itself.
There is something magical about Lake Coeur
d’Alene that’s hard to define, but begins with the
spectacular North Idaho sunsets and moonrises,
the plunge of an osprey after a fish, the glowing
lights of downtown Coeur d’Alene reflecting
across its waters at night. The perfect place to
plan your next vacation and activities.
Source: CoeurdAlene.org

If you live in a high-heat and drought-prone region of
the country, you no doubt have watering restrictions for your
abode. In other words, big green lawns are definitely not in your future. Your
best bet for a sustainable landscape is minimizing your green areas and being
selective with your plantings. The best way to achieve this? Use hardscape
products and stone and mulch as the basis of your landscape, minimizing
thirsty grassy areas.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t have anything living in your yard … it just
means choosing drought-tolerant and native plants, the basis of xeriscape
landscaping. Before planting, it’s wise to amend your soil with humus (manure,
compost, and wood chips are good examples) to ensure it retains moisture
and helps ensure good drainage. So be sure to choose drought-tolerant plants,
examples of which include ornamental grasses and perennials such as yarrow,
sage, columbine, lavender, hyssop, sedum, and purple cornflower. These
beautiful perennials will return to bloom in your garden season after season
without excessive watering. Keep your eyes open when you go for a hike
and you may just see these blooms popping up organically in the wild. This
simpatico relationship is what makes using these same plants in your yard so
easy and so successful.
Of course, you will have to water these plants a bit and that’s where
strategically placed drip irrigation comes in. By getting the water directly to
the root of the plant you minimize waste and give your plants just what they
need in the process. Another way to save H2O? Get a rain barrel that can
catch all those drips and drops and you can wisely channel that runoff directly
where it needs to go most—to your plants. Best of all, this water is
free! Some pricier systems do attach directly to your drop irrigation
but there are less costly versions available for
all budgets.

By using xeriscape plants and
principles in your landscaping
you will have a yard that
will look as good as you will
feel about using eco-friendly
gardening designs. And with
the low-maintenance yard
you’ve created, you’ll have
more time to do the things you
love to do on your precious
weekends. Enjoy!

LIFEWISE

The most famous con, of course, is San Diego Comic-Con
International. This cross section of superheroes, celebrities, and
comic book geeks attracts more than a hundred thousand
groupies every year who for four days revel in everything comicrelated. A more family-friendly and smaller version is Emerald
City Comic Con in Seattle, perfect for those new to the whole
com-con scene. This event
has attracted big names
such as Patrick Stewart
and Gillian Anderson in
the past, so it’s full of sci-fi
excitement. Similar in style
and scope are the numerous
anime (Japanese animation)
conventions where fans
gather to get all the latest
news and memorabilia
related to their shared love
of Japanese comics and
film. The big ones to check
out: Anime Expo in LA and
Sakura-Con in Seattle.

FLAVORFUL

TRAVEL TIME

Gaming cons are numerous and perhaps the most in demand
of late. Many gaming conventions allow attendees to play new
games before they are even released, a real rush for intense
gamers. For gamers looking to kick it old school, there are even
conventions for “table-top” gaming, you know, the old kind that
involves board games and card games, as well as role playing
games (think Dungeons and Dragons). If that sounds like your
thing, check out GoPlay Northwest and Gen Con, two of the
bigger ones.
Kids can’t be left out of the con craze either. In fact, the
younger set may be familiar with MineCon, the convention
where Minecraft fans gather for everything related to mobs and
creepers. There’s also the Star Wars Celebration where fans of
Luke and Leia can meet movie stars, see sneak previews of
upcoming releases, and snatch up some exclusive Star Wars
merch. Not to be missed if you’re a J.K. Rowling fan? LeakyCon,
a Harry Potter convention for those obsessed with witchcraft and
wizardry. Toy conventions and Lego conventions are also fun for
children of all ages. Whatever you are into, there is a gathering of
like-minded people to hang with and enjoy your passions.

DIRECTIONS
Soak all spices in beer for 30 minutes.
Brown meat with salt and then skim fat. Add onion and garlic, then simmer
for 30 minutes. Add spices and tomato sauce, then simmer on very low
heat for 3 hours. Skim grease as necessary. Add corn flour mixed with 4
cups of water and simmer for 15 minutes.

TexAzGrill.com

Vicinity
Spring 2018 | Issue 5

the VICINITY of Maricopa County
MAY 2018
3/15/18 – 4/15/18

8,357

AVG
SOLD
PRICE

$

TOTAL #

CLOSED

Unconventional Conventions

99

66
AVG DAYS
ON MARKET

LIST/SELL
PRICE RATIO

Homeownership up in 2017
Despite a shortage of homes for sale, the annual
homeownership rate hit about 63.9% in 2017 – up
from about 63.4% a year earlier, according to a
recent U.S. Census bureau report.
Source: Realtor.com

[

[

GO CON CRAZY

343,213

Fred Delgado
602.308.8494 Direct
Fred@FredDelgado.com

www.FredDelgado.com
To find out the value of your home, visit www.EmailMyHomeValue.com
If your home is currently listed, this is not a solicitation for that listing.